All posts by John

General, Public

Libraries at airports?!

800px-Washington_Dulles_International_Airport_at_DuskLibrary branches can be found in many places and now they’re showing up in Airports!? American Libraries Magazine recently reported that airports around the country are seeing more and more libraries among the baggage returns and security checks.

In some cases, like in Boise, digital access is only for Boise residents. In others, like in San Antonio, nonresidents are able to get temporary access to the library’s digital offerings. Regardless of the access, it seems to be a success. “The popularity of the download stations has prompted both libraries to consider establishing more throughout the airports and in other parts of the city.”

MSP -> SAT? Get your library card ready!

Image credit:  Joe Ravi, http://tinyurl.com/khv33ft, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Call to action for MN Library Legislative day!

Can’t make it down to the Capitol for MN Library Legislative day on March 2-3? CMLE has got you covered! Please take a moment to send an email to your legislator to help us put libraries on their radar!

Just follow these 3 simple steps to have your voice heard!

1) Click here to find out Who represents me? Enter in your Zip Code.
2) Click on one of your state legislators.
3) Find your legislator's email address. Some will have you fill out an online form, some will use your email program.

Need some help getting started? Start with the following subject.

Subject: I love libraries because....

Write your text or just tag on a sentence or two to one of these…

Text: 
- Public libraries are the great equalizer, they serve people of every age, education level, income level, ethnicity and physical ability. I love my public library because... [fill in the blank]

- School libraries transform learning, build enthusiastic learners, and provide important space for thinking, making, and doing. I love my school library because... [fill in the blank]

- Academic libraries are the heart of the university, providing important spaces for thought and inquiry; often serving as breeding grounds for ideas. I love my academic library because... [fill in the blank]

- Special libraries exist in prisons, hospitals, museums, and other venues. My special library is important because... [fill in the blank]

Make sure to include your signature so they know you are a constituent.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist

5 Plagiarism Detection Tools

Lulu HoellerAre you looking for plagiarism detection tools to pass onto your teachers? Look no further than Edudemic’s list of the 5 best! The tools are each detailed and reviewed with their good and bad qualities. Take a look at the list below to get an idea of the articles content:

  1. TurnItIn
  2. PlagiarismChecker.com
  3. SafeAssign
  4. Plagscan
  5. The Plagiarism Checker

Do you have one that you like? Submit it in the comments and we’ll add it the list!

 

Image by Lulu Hoeller. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
General, Public

“Once Upon a Reader” Early Literacy Program at ECRL and GRRL

OUR-Color-Logo-TransparentThe East Central Regional Library system and the Great River Regional Library system recently announced that they will be participating in the “Once Upon a Reader” program. This is a statewide early literacy initiative for ages 0-6.

East Central Regional Library:

This regions involvment comes in free books and events. Free copies of Moo! by David LaRochelle “were distributed through Lakes & Pines Head Start to over 400 children in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibway.” The events are going to be at several branch libraries, so check out the ECRL calendar or the Once Upon a Reader calendar to find out where and when.

Great River Regional Library:

Like ECRL, GRRL’s involvement comes with free books and events too. From Mooovie nights to scavenger hunts, GRRL has expanded beyond the Moo! Traveling Trunk Show for some truly original activities. For the extensive list, check out GRRL’s calendar or the Once Upon a Reader calendar to find out where and when.

General, Public, School Media Specialist

RUSA offers free personal finance webinars

1782358_10152001346422078_1022205994_oThe Reference & User Services Association (RUSA), a division of ALA, recently announced that they are offering three free webinars to expand your user’s knowledge about personal finance. Applicable to high school students, public library users, or anyone who wants to know more about personal finance, these webinars are part of the Smart investing @ your library program. The program addresses the growing need for unbiased financial and investor education. Check them out now, use them at your library, or just bookmark them for later!

6 Fun & Easy Financial Literacy Programs & How to Do Them Watch here
Helping Library Patrons Put Their Financial House in Order Watch here
Beyond the Basics of Personal Finance: Helping Library Patrons Help Themselves Watch here